The Silent Way, Suggestopaedia, TPR and other ‘designer’ methods: what are they and what can we learn from them?

In the 70s there was a positive rash of so-called designer methods for learning language. The first part of our #ELTChat on 12th September 2012 at 12pm was mainly concerned with clarifying exactly what some of these methods involved. For the sake of clarity I have prepared a brief overview of what I understand about each method. There then follows a summary of the discussion and finally a set of links to articles and videos about these different methods.

Theory of learning

Theory of language

Teaching method

The Silent Way

Learning is facilitated if the learner discovers or problem solves. Students work co-operatively and independently from teacher.

Very structural- language is taught in ‘building blocks’..but syllabus is determined by what learners need to communicate.

Teacher should be as silent as possible, modelling items just once. Language is learnt inductively